QUEEN Maxima of The Netherlands will confirm Holland America Line's royal credentials when she christens its new ship, ms Koningsdam, next month.

Queen Maxima of The Netherlands will christen its new ship ms Koningsdam next month

The ceremony will take place on board the ship in Rotterdam on May 20.

Members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 Holland America Line ships, most recently ms Nieuw Amsterdam by the then-Princess Maxima in 2010 and ms Eurodam by Queen Beatrix in 2008.

"We are incredibly honoured that Her Majesty Queen Maxima will carry on the tradition of Dutch Royalty christening Holland America Line ships, which began 87 years ago," says Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

Related articles

We are honoured that Her Majesty Queen Maxima will carry on the tradition

Orlando Ashford

"We chose Rotterdam as the location for the official ceremony because of the deep historic connection between Holland America Line, the city, and the people of the Netherlands.

"May 20 will be a very special day in our company's 143-year history as we officially dedicate ms Koningsdam."

The ceremony will take place during a special 13-day Christening Cruise departing Civitavecchia in Italy on May 9.

GETTY

The ceremony will take place on board the ship in Rotterdam on May 20

Koningsdam will then spend the summer sailing from Amsterdam on itineraries to Norway, the Baltic and Iceland.

At the end of summer it will sail to Fort Lauderdale in Florida to be based at Port Everglades for winter and spring Caribbean cruises.

The 2,650-guest ship is the first in Holland America Line's new Pinnacle-class of vessel and the largest ship built for the line.

It features the cruise line's first purpose-built staterooms for families and solo travellers and has several dining options new to Holland America Line.

GETTY

In 2008 Queen Beatrix christened the ms Eurodam cruise ship

World's largest cruise ship Harmony of the Seas

Tue, May 17, 2016

The world's largest cruise ship, which is almost 165 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower, has set off on its first sea trial from France. Harmony of the Seas, which cost almost £800million to build and weighs 227,000 tonnes.